Vertical collating machine



Oct. 17, 1961 L. MESTRE VERTICAL COLLATING MACHINE Filed March 5, 1960 FIG. IO.

9 Sheets$heet 1 INVENTOR LUIS MESTRE ATTORNEY Oct. 17, 1961 L. MESTRE VERTICAL COLLATING MACHINE 9 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 5, 1960 5 RM Y O T E TB N NM R E f O V T W M 0t,' 17,-1-961 L. MESTRE 3,004,758

VERTICAL COLLATING MACHINE Filed ma h.s, 1960 9 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR LUIS MESTRE ATTORNEY Oct. 17, 1961 L. MESTRE VERTICAL COLLATING MACHINE 9 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed March 5, 1960 INVENTOR LUIS MESTRE he]? 6 ATTORNEY Oct. 17, 1961 L. MESTRE 3,004,758

VERTICAL COLLATING MACHINE Filed March 5, 1960 9 Sheets-Sheet 5 ATTO R N EY Oct. 17, 1961 MESTRE 3,004,758

VERTICAL COLLATING MACHINE Filed March 3, 1960 9 Sheets-Sheet a INVENTOR LUIS MESTRE ATTORNEYS.

Oct. 17, 1961 L. MESTRE 3,004,758

VERTICAL COLLATING MACHINE Filed March 3, 1960 9 Sheets-Sheet 7 FIG. I2. 2 v

I52 285 I M INVENTOR LUIS MESTRE AT TORNEYS.

Oct. 17, 1961 L. MESTRE VERTICAL COLLATING MACHINE 9 Sheets-Sheet 8 Filed March 5, 1960 "ldml INVENTOR LUIS MESTRE ATTORNEYS.

Oct. 17, 1961 Filed March 5, 1960 L. MESTRE VERTICAL COLLATING MACHINE 9 Sheets-Sheet 9 274 ATTORNEYS.

3,004,758 VERTIQAL C(DLLATHNG MACHINE Luis Mestre, 305 E. 46th St., New York, N.Y. Filed Mar. 3, 1960, Ser. No. 12,867 42 Qlaims. (Cl. 270-58) form is so arranged that for each run or vertical cycle of the storage means a series or group of sheets it deposited thereon alternately in two positions or relations so that each set or book of sheets is separated and may be removed-therefrom. For example one set or book of sheets may be staggered with respect to its adjacent set or it may be angularly disposed depending upon the two positions of the deposit platform. The machine is provided with ejector or pusher mechanism which projects the top sheet from the top of the stack of sheets in each pocket at a pick-up position. Ejector or pusher means is shown carried by each pocket and each is operated by the movement of the storage means to engage the top sheet of the pile in its pocket and project the same partially out of the pocket at pickup position. The projected sheet is then removed fully from the pocket and deposited on the deposit platform at deposit position. With a difierent sheet in each pocket, a sheet from each pocket will form a set or book of sheets.

An object of the invention is to construct an inexpensive and efiective collating machine.

Another object is to construct a vertical collating machine in which the top sheet in each pocket is me- .chanically projected partially out of each pocket as it passes pick-up position and then mechanically removed entirely from the pocket and deposited on a deposit platform.

Another object is to construct a collating machine having storage means which moves vertically past a pick-up position and mechanical ejector means is provided for each pocket'to engage the top sheet and partially project the same out of the pocket at pick-up position.

Another object of the invention is to construct a collating machine in which the storage means moves vertically upwardly and downwardly to remove a sheet from each pocket on the downward movement.

A still further object is to construct a collating machine having adjustable means which automatically reverses the movement of the storage means so that the latter may move less than its full travel for a book having 7 a lesser number of sheets than the number of pockets in the storage means.

Another object is to construct a collating machine in which ejector means projects part of the top sheet out of the pocket at pick-up position and continuously moving endless means withdraws the sheet fully from the pocket and deposits it on a deposit platform.

Also, :it is an object to use a reciprocating pressure means which presses the projecting portion of the sheet against an endless means to grip the sheet and withdraw it fully from the pocket and to hold the reciprocating pressure means in retracted position upon upward movement of the storage means.

Another object is to construct a collating machine having a storage means for the sheets which moves vertically up and down with means to reverse the drive mechanism therefore and also uses reciprocating means 3,004,758 Patented Get. 17, i

as part of the means to complete the withdrawal of a sheet from the pocket which latter two means have considerable overlapping structure.

Another object is to construct new and novel sheet 7 ejecting means of inexpensive form and effective operation.

Another object is to provide a collating machine with a missing sheet detector of new construction and operation.

Another object is to provide a Vertical collating machine with a rotary cam for operating a pressure roller means.

Also it is an object to provide a locking means for each sheet ejecting mechanism for each pocket which also controls a switch for rendering the sheetdetecting means inoperative.

Another object is to provide a single control element having two positions in one of which positions a missing sheet detecting means is rendered inoperative and in the other position a sheet gaging means is rendered inoperative.

A further object'is to provide a locking means for each sheet ejecting mechanism having three positions and control mechanism carried thereby in one position of which the sheet ejecting mechanism is locked and control means renders a missing sheet detector means inoperative, in the second position the locking means is released and the sheet detecting means is operative and in the third position a sheet gaging means is rendered inoperative.

A still further object is to construct a vertical collating machine having sheet ejecting mechanism operated by cam means with means to adjust the position of the cam means for the height of the pile of sheets in the sheet pockets.

Another object is to construct a collating machine which controls the book making of the separated or collated sheets.

Another object is to construct a collating machine which controls the position of a depositing platform at the end of the endless or conveying means.

Another object is to construct a vertical collating machine which will collate sheets for two or more books.

Other objects of the invention will be more apparent from the following description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings showing preferred forms thereof, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation of the collating machine;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the machine;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the reciprocating means which with the endless or conveyor means withdraws the sheet fully from each pocket with the parts indicated in two positions;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the locking means in position holding the reciprocating means in inoperative or rearward position during the period when the storage means moves upwardly.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of the reversing drive mechanism for the storage means;

FIG. 6 is a section taken on line 66 of FIG. 2, showing a series of pockets adjacent and at pick-up position and hence showing the various positions of the ejector mechanism for partially ejecting a top sheet from a pocket;

PEG. 7 is a full sized section of the ejector mechanism in advanced or rearward position taken on line 7-7 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 8 is a cross section through the ejector mechanism taken on line 8-8 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a view of the reversing cone mechanism 3 for driving the sheet storage means upwardly and downwardly;

FIG. is an-enlarged view of the cam bar adjustment;

FIG. 11 is a side view of a rotary cam mechanism for oscillating a sheet pressing roller and of a missing sheet means operable thereby;

FIG. 12 is a side view of a tray or deposit platform jogging control means and a sheet loading switch control;

FIG. 13 is a plan view of adjusting means for the cams which operate sheet ejecting-means and control switches for missing sheet detecting means and for sheet gaging means;

FIG. 14 is -a side view of the cam adjusting means of FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is a side view of tray or depositing platform jogging means;

FIG. 16 shows a locking means for a sheet ejecting mechanism and switch control means carried thereby;

FIG. 17 is an end view into a storage means pocket and the locking and switch control means; and

FIG. 18 is an enlarged side view of the locking means for the sheet ejecting mechanism and switch control means carried thereby.

This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 774,403, filed November 17, 1958, now

forfeited.

The collating machine has a frame 20 of any suitable construction that illustrated being a built up frame of various members. The frame carries a motor 21 which is connected with the machine by a belt 22. The motor is mounted on a hinged panel 23, the position of which may be adjusted by a screw 24 to maintain the belt taut.

The sheets are withdrawn from pockets in a sheet storage means and deposited on a deposit platform 27 of any suitable construction which customarily is fed downward gradually as the sheets pile up on the platform. The deposit platform will usually bemounted and actuated for movement alternately between two positions at the termination of each collating operation so that a series of sheets forming a book will be staggered or separated in some fashion from the next book or set of sheets so that each book may be separated from the next book.

This deposit platform may shift its position two or more times in one downward pass of the sheet storage means in the event that each book comprises a few sheets. For example if the storage means has 20 pockets and the book comprises ten sheets then the pockets may be loaded with 1 sheets one to ten from the bottom up to the tenth pocket A sheet is first projected partially from each pocket' of the sheet storage means. In order to complete the removal of a sheet from its pocket, mechanism is provided to grip the projecting portion of the sheet as each pocket passes pick-up position and complete the withdrawal of thesheet from the pile of sheets and convey the sheet to the deposit platform. The mechanism for accomplishing this includes an endless or conveyor means shown as a plurality of spaced tapes passing around a driving roll 30 which roll is driven by a sprocket 28 attached to the roll and a chain 31. The conveyor or endless means also passes around a forward roll 32 mounted on the frame by journal ends or a shaft 34. An idler roll 33 keeps the tapes taut. The gripping and conveying mechanism includes means to press the projecting end of a sheet against the endless means so that the sheet is withdrawn from the storage pocket after which'the sheet is conveyed to the deposit platform.

The pressure means includes one or more pressure rolls 37, two being shown, each carried on a rod 36 which rod is rotatably mounted on pressure roll arms 38 carried by a pivot rod 39 mounted in spaced levers 40. Each lever is mounted on the frame on a pivot 41. A' spring 42, FIG. 2, around the .pivot rod-39 has one end anchored such as to lever 40 and the other end engages one of the arms 38 and in this mannerpresses the pressure rolls against the endless means or presses a sheet which comes therebetween against the endless means. The sheet is then fully withdrawn from its pocket and conveyed to the deposit platform by the endless means.

- The pressure means or rolls are moved in timed sequence with the storage means so that the portion of the sheet projecting from a pocket is engaged by the pressure means to press the sheet into contact with the endless means. The movement particularly shown is a reciprocating movement with the rolls in contact with the endless means' at all times if there is no sheet or riding over thesheet when a sheet comes therebetween. The rolls are advanced forwardly towards the storage means so that they ride or run on top of a projecting sheet and presses the same against the endless means and the latter completes the removal of the sheet from the storage pocket. The pressure rolls have a reciprocating motion of about 1 /2 to 2 inches. Upon the limit of the rearward movement of the pressure rolls the endless means continues to feed or convey each sheet and they are projected onto the deposit platform. 7

The means for reciprocating the pressure means or rolls 37 is shown in detail in FIG. 3 and includes a link 46 connected at one end with the lever 40 by a pivot 47. The other end of the link is suitably supported for reciprocation, the means shown being a lever 48 pivotally connected to the link by a pivot 49 and the lever is pivotally mounted on the frame 20 by a pivot 50. The link 46 carries a roll or cam follower '51 mounted on the link on a pin 52 in a position to be engaged by a cam means 53 which projects the link and the pressure means in one direction for each storage pocket. The cam means shown is a cam bar of wave form with a wave for each pocket so that when a pocket of the storage means reaches a position a little above the horizontal position of the upper pass of the endless means 29, the pressure rolls 37 are moved forwardly to ride over a projecting sheet. The rotation of the pressure rolls is such that it aids in directing the edge of the sheet between the rolls and the endless means. The sheet is pressed by the pressure rolls against the moving endless means and the sheet moves with the latter. The action is so fast that it is not known whether. or not the sheet is under the rolls on their return or rearward movement. If so, the pressure rolls continue to press the sheet against the endless means to continue with the withdrawing of the sheet from the pocket. At the limit of the rearward movement of the pressure rolls, the sheet continues to be fed by the endless means so that the sheet is deposited on the deposit platform 27. A pair of springs 54 each having one end attached to one lever 40 and the other end attached to the frame 20 provide spring means to propel the pressure rollers 37 in the other direction from the movement caused by the cam means or shown as forwardly and maintains the cam follower roll '51 in contact with the cam means 53. The reciprocating means then includes cam means or a cam to move the pressure rolls in one direction and spring means to move them in the opposite direction. In the construction illustrated the cam means moves the pressure rolls rearwardly or away from the storage means. It is desirable to adjust the cam bar higher for a thick pile of sheets. A screw 55 carried by a part of the frame and threaded into a'fixed nut 56 or threaded portion carried by the cam bar enables the latter to be adjusted vertically and advance or retard in relative time to the downward movement of the storage means the reciprocation of the pressure roll means.

Means is provided to lock or hold the pressure means in rearward or retracted position against reciprocating movement when the storage means reaches the end of its downward movement and moves upwardly. This holding or locking means includes a trigger 57 carried on a trigger pivot 58 which trigger is in a position to be engaged by a suitable part of the storage means. Preferably the trigger is engaged by an upper adjustable trigger operator or projection 59 which is slidably mounted on a projection or stop bar 64 carried by the storage means. This projection bar has a series of notches 61 therein for engagement by a latch 62 carried by the trigger operator so that the position thereof may be shifted along the bar. In other words, if all of the pockets of the storage means are not to be used, the adjustable projection is placed at a position to engage the trigger after the last or topmost pocket carrying a pile of sheets is in or past pick-up position. This speeds up the collating operation when this situation exists. The bottom trigger operator 7.1 may be the same as adjustable trigger operator 59 if desired, but is shown as a simple fixed trigger operator. 7

An actuator is secured to the pivot rod 58, which actuator is conveniently a relatively'stiff band spring 63, the end of which engages in a notch 64 carried by a locking lever 65 which is pivotally mounted on the frame by means of a pivot 56. In the position of FIG. 3, the actuator propels the lever 65 in a counterclockwise direction and maintains the lever in unlocked position fixed by a surface 67 thereof engaging a locking pin 68 which is carried by the link 46. In the downward movement of the storage means and reciprocation of the link 46, the surface 67 rides in contact with the pin 68. When, however, the trigger 57 is pressed downwardly by the projection 59, the actuator 63 shifts or rotates the locking lever 65 counterclockwise to the position of FIG. 4, to bring a lockingnotch 70 carried by the locking lever 65 into engagement With the locking pin 68 so that the spring 54 cannot move the pressure rolls forwardly towards the storage means and they are held in this retracted or rearward position. The storage means then moves upwardly as will be described until a bottom projection 71 shifts the trigger in the opposite direction or upwardly whereupon the actuator 63 pivots the locking lever 65 in a clockwise direction to remove the locking notch 70 from its position obstructing the locking pin 68. The spring 54 brings the cam roll 51 into contact with the bar 53 for the downward movement of the storage means. The actuator 63 is a spring so that it may yield if something becomes faulty in the reversing operation and avoid damage to the machine.

The storage means 75 is movable so that each storage pocket or each loaded storage pocket is movable past pick-up position which is a point approximately level with the upper surface of the endless conveyor means. The storage means has a plurality of storage pockets therein formed by spaced partitions 76 each of which receives a pile of sheets, each pocket with a dilferent sheet. The storage means particularly shown moves vertically upwardly and downwardly being suitably guided such as by a track means including spaced tracks 77 carried on each side of the frame. For ease of movement rolls 78 carried by the storage means may engage the track and preferably they are stepped rolls so that a side face of the rolls engages the inner face of the track. Suitable counter-balance means may be provided that shown including a spring 79, one end of which is attached to the frame 20 and the other. end is secured to a pulley 89 around which passes a cord or chain 81 one end of which chain is attached to the frame 20 above the pulley 80. This cord passes around a second pulley 82 carried by the frame and the other end of the cord or chain is attached at a point 83 on the storage means.

The storage means is driven vertically by reversing driving mechanism which may take many forms that shown including racks 87 carried by the storage means and a driven gear 88 meshing with each rack. Each gear is driven by a driving gear 89 carried on a shaft 90, FIG. 5, which shaft also carries a worm gear 91 which meshes with a worm 92. The worm is secured to a cross shaft 93 to which shaft there is also secured a pair of cone wheels 94 and 95 which forms part of a reversing drive mechanism. Any form of reversing means or mechanism is contemplated. The two cone Wheels are shown as of different size so that the larger Wheel 95 provides slower downward collating movement and a smaller cone wheel 94 provides faster upward movement. Driving cones 96a and b are carried on a shaft 97 and this shaft is mounted in a bracket 98 adjacent to the cones which bracket is pivotally mounted on a pivot 99 spaced from the shaft so that the cones may be shifted alternately into contact with and away from its cone Wheel. The shaft 97 and driving cone is driven by the belt 22 through a pulley 100. A back up Wheel or roll 101 may engage the storage means in line with each gear 88.

The reversing mechanism particularly shown includes operating or cone shifting means for bringing the driving cones 96a and b alternately into contact with its cone wheel to drive the same in opposite directions. The means particularly shown for accomplishing this shifting is shown as the trigger 57 and trigger pivot 58. The trigger includes an extension 104 secured to the pivot 58 and having a notch 105 in the end thereof, which notch receives a pin 1% carried by a reversing or shift lever 107. This lever is mounted on a pivot 1G8 carried by the frame. The shift lever also carries a notch 199 which receives a pin 11!) carried by the bracket 98 and spaced from pivot 99. Pivoting of the shift lever 167 shifts the bracket 98 and shaft 97 and in so shifting moves the driving cone 96a or b into driving contact with its cone wheel 94 or 95 and the other cone away from its cone wheel. The levers 104 and 107 form a two position linkage in that the pin 106 shifts to opposite sides of a center line through the center of spaced pivots 58 and 108.

In order to maintain the two position linkage on its shifted side of the center line, one of the links, shown as the reversing lever 107, carries angularly disposed intersecting surfaces 111, "112 which angular relationship forms a peak at their intersection. A roll 113 is mounted on a pin 114 carried by a lever 1 15 which lever is pivotally mounted on the frame by a pin 11-6. A spring 117 is attached to the lever 115 to maintain the roll 113 in contact with the surfaces. The spring through the lever, roller 113 and the angular surface which it is engaging, presses the reversing lever 107 away from center line position irrespective of on which side it may be and thereby holds the reversing means and its driving cone in contact with its cone wheel with which it is in engagement and also retains the reversing link or two position linkage in the position to which it has been triggered.

The two position linkage in being connected with pivot shaft 5-8 also retains the locking lever 65 in one of its two positions or in the position to which the trigger 57 has moved the same and forms a part of the locking means for the pressure roll means. The driving mechanism described moves the storage means downwardly until the reverse means or mechanism is triggered whereupon the drive mechanism assisted by the counter-balancing means 7 9 raises the storage means until the trigger 57 is triggered to its up position by the bottom trigger operator 71 whereupon the driving mechanism is reversed and the storage means is moved downwardly and the reciprocating means is unlocked.

Ejecting or pusher mechanism is provided to partially eject the top sheet of a pile of sheets out of its pocket as the pocket approaches and reaches pick-up position adjacent to or at the level of the top surface of the endless means 29. The ejecting mechanism or means shown providcs an ejection means for each pocket which is mounted upon the storage means in each pocket and particularly upon the lower surface ofeach partition. The ejecting means, FIGS. 6, 7 and 8, is preferably carried on-a housing 121, shown as of channel form, which is secured to the partition 76 such'as by screws 122. It has been found that positive partial ejection of a single sheet is secured if there is some restraint on the sheets. Therestraint provided is a gravity restraint securedby inchning the partitions downwardly. A forward downward inclination of approximately degrees has been found satisfactory. An ejector carriage 123 is 'movably mounted on the housing, the mounting particularly shown including a pair of spaced slots 124 in the carriage and a pair of spaced washers 125 engaging opposite sides of the carriage at the slot and the washers being carriedby a screw 126 which passes through the slot. This screw has a diameter approximately the same as that of the slot so that the screw also guides the movement of the carriage or a roll may be provided on the screw for engaging in the slot. The carriagecarries an ejector or pusher 127 of suitable friction material such as ofrubber which is mounted on an arm 128 and secured against rotation. The arm is pivotally mounted on a pivot 129 formed by bending the end of the arm 128 laterally. The otherend of the arm 128 is bent laterally also'to form a rod 130 on which the ejector 127 is mounted. The pivot 129 is 'pivotally mounted in the sides of the ejector carriage123. A spring 13-1 is attached at one end to a pin 132 on the carriage and the other end is secured to a fixed pin 133 which may be a part of screw 126 to pull the carriage to the right as viewed in FIG. 7. The carriage carries a cam roller 134 at the end thereof mounted on a pin 135, the purpose of which will appear hereinafter.

Retracting means raises the ejector or pusher 127 upwardly out of contact with the top sheet. This retracting means includes a retracting member 139 which is mounted forv movement relatively tothe carriage 123, the mounting structure particularly shown includes pins 145 which are secured to the carriage. These pins are received in slots14-1 in the retracting member. A Washer 142 retains the retracting member on one pin against the edges of the U-shaped carriage and a combined retainer and holder 143 is mounted on the other pin 140. This retainer engages the bottom surface of the retracting member so that it is slidably supported on the pin 1 4i) and in addition the holder has resilient ends'one end of which abuts one end of the slot 141 in one position of the retracting means is projected to the left asviewed in FIG. 7-and lifts the armand the ejector to itsupward position. With the retracting means 129 in a positionto the right as viewed in FIG. 7,the' arm 128 and its ejector 127 swings downwardly by gravity and engages the top sheet in a pile of sheets in its pocket. Rearward movement of the carriage and ejector propelsthe top sheet rearwardly partially out of the pocket for engagement between the endless means and the pressure means which completely removes the sheet from the pocket. The retracting member carries a cam roller 145 on the end thereof carried on a pin 146, the purpose of which will appear hereinafter. Operating means is provided to move the retracting means forwardly relatively to the carriage in order to release the ejector arm so that it drops and the ejector engages the top sheet of its pile of sheets prior to the pocket reaching pick-up or ejecting position. Rearward movement of the retracting means relatively to the carriage lifts the arm and ejector and restores it to its initial raised position. Operating means are also provided to rnove the carriage'with its ejector or pusher rearwardly after the ejector'has been brought into contactwith the top sheet to push or eject the top sheet partially out of the pocket at pick-up or ejecting position. Both of these operating means are shown in FIG. 6. The operating means for the retracting means includes a cam 150 which is in the path of the cam roller and engages the same as it moves downwardly to shift the roller 14-6 and the retracting means 139 to the left prior to the respective pocket reaching pick-up position. This releases the ejector arm 12% and the ejector 127 drops onto the pile of sheets.

A carriage operating cam 151 at the same time engages the roller 134 to retain the same in its initial position. The retainer or spring-clip 14-3 holds the retracting means in this left or forward position. As the pocket approaches pick-up or ejecting position, the cam 151 has a portion 152 whichprojects the carriage rearwardly or to the right (FIG. 6) with the roller 145 and the retracting means maintaining their relatively forward or ejector release position. in this movement rearwardly or to the right, the top sheet is ejected between the endless or conveyor means 129 and the pressure roll means 37 which has been shifted to its forward position over the endless tor arm 128 and lifts the ejector 127 away from the pile of sheets S. The spring retainer or clip 143 retains the retracting means in this relative or rearward position with respect to the carriage. The ejector is in contact with the sheet for a moment after the endless means begins its sheet withdrawal operation.

Upon the return or upward movement of the storage means and when the roller 134 passes over cam portion 152, thecarriage returns to its initial position under the 40.

influence of the spring 131. Preferably the cam is pivotally mounted on a pivot 155 so that on the return movement, the cam 15d) swings to the left out of the way to pass its roller 145. A slot 156 and spring 157 holds the cam 150 in its advanced position for again engaging the roller145 for the next downward movement of the storage means; The cam 154 also carries a cam surface 153 to move the retracting means to retracting position in the event it has been inadvertently shifted.

The pockets are provided with usual adjustable abut ments, one abutment 161 being adjustable in a slot 162 and engaging the bottom edge of the pile of sheets. A side abutment 163 is also adjustably mounted in each pocket. 7

With the storage means moving upwardly, the bottom projection or stop engages the trigger 157 to reverse the driving mechanism and themovement of the storage means so that it moves downwardly for a second collating operation.

In the construction of FIGS. 1 through .10, the cam means, for moving the pressure roll 37 towards and away from the movable storage means, is carried on the latter. It need not be so carried as shown in FIG. 11 in which a rotary cam 16% is mounted upon a shaft 169. This shaft is driven through suitable mechanism such as the worm 92, worm gear 91 and gears 166, 167 in timed relation so that in the movement of one pocket of the vertical storage means past pick-up position or the end of the conveyor or endless means, one cam projection has operated the roller 37 forwardly andbackwardly through one cycle. As shown, there has been a relocation of the shaft 9% below the Worm-92 as'viewed in FIG. 5. The cam means shown has three cam projections or lobes so that the cam and the shaft 169 makes one revolution in the time thatit takes three pockets to pass pick-up posi tion. It is clear that the cam means may have any .n 1*, 1 1411mm 4l1 number of projections with its rotation timed with respect to the movement of the storage means 75, so that the roll 37 is reciprocated through its cycle for each pocket. The cam means 168 engages and operates a cam roller 170 carried on a cam roller arm 171. This arm is secured to the pivot or shaft 41 to which the lever 40 is also secured. Oscillation of the arm 171 will, therefore, oscillate the arm 40 and reciprocate the pressure roller 37 over the endless means or conveyor 29, towards and away from the end thereof to press a sheet into conveying contact with the conveyor or endless means 29.

Means are also provided to hold the cam roller 170 in inoperative position away from the cam means on upward or return movement of the storage means. This means includes a pressure roll trigger 1'73 mounted on a pivot 174 carried by the frame. 'Trigger 173 includes an arm 175 having a slot 176 in which is received a pin 177 which is carried on a bell crank lever 178. This lever is pivotally mounted freely on the shaft 53. The bell crank 178 includes a lift arm 180 which lies under a pin 181 carried on the cam roller arm 171. The holding arm or lever 186 is retained in its up or lifted position by the drive reversing mechanism including lever 104 mounted on shaft 58 and its cooperating mechanism including levers 107, 115 and cam 111 as will appear. When the storage means approaches its up position, a cam projection 183 pivotally carried by the storage means adjacent the bottom thereof yields under the pressure of the end of the trigger 173 against spring 183a so that projection is brought above the shoulder 132 on lever 173. Thereafter trigger 57 is engaged to reverse the drive mechanism to drive the storage means down whereupon the lower end of the projection 183 engages and propels the trigger 173 downwardly and through pin 177 propels holding arm 180 in a counterclockwise direction or downwardly away from the pin 181 so that cam roller 170 engages the cam. The cam projection 183 is located so that the top of a lobe of cam 168 is at the roller 17%.

When the storage means has reached the bottom of its movement, the projection 59 carried thereby propels the trigger 57 downwardly, raises the arms 189 and 171 so that the cam roller is kept out of operative engagement with the cam. The means for driving the storage means is essentially the same as that heretofore described excepting that a chain connection with the storage means is utilized rather than the gear 88.

Sheet detecting means is provided to detect a missing sheet on the endless means or conveyor. This detecting means is suitably mounted on the frame such as through a bar 184 which is secured to the frame adjacent to the pressure roller pivot 39 at the end of its motion to the left in FIG. 11 and extends across the endless means and above-the same. This bar carries a slider plate 185 on which plate and bar is mounted a slider 186 having a suitable slot 187 for receiving the bar. The slider is locted so that a screw 188 carried thereby is engaged by the mounting means 39 for the pressure roll 37 for the last small portion of the movement thereof away from the storage means. The slider carries a detector lever 192 pivoted on pivot 189 so that a sheet may pass easily thereunder. If a sheet is missing or absent the detector lever drops down and a switch 193 is closed to energize suitable means to stop the machine. A spring 191 normally propels the slider 186 to the right.

In the simple construction particularly shown, the detector lever 192 drops into gap or hole provided in the conveyor table 29a and the end of the detector lever as it moves to the left as viewed in FIG. 11, engages the end of the switch lever 191 to close the switch and an electric circuit which stops the machine If, however, a sheet passes under the lever, the sheet holds the detector lever up and the machine continues to operate. A hold up latch 194 and pin 195 may be provided to hold the detector lever 192 inoperative.

It is desirable in the feeding of sheets out of the pockets that the ejector or pusher 127 be released sooner when the pocket is full and later when the pocket has a lesser number of sheets therein. This is accomplished by adjustin the position of the cams 150, 151, 152, 153, 154 and 158. The adjustment is accomplished by the structure shown in FIGS. 13 and 14 in which the cams are mounted for vertical adjustment. Cams 150, 152, 153, 154 and 158 are carried on cam 151 which is mounted on the frame for vertical adjustment through the pins 198 carried by the frame which pins are received in vertical slots 199. Vertical adjustment of the cams is secured through a lever 260 which is pivotally mounted on a pivot 2111 carried by the frame. One end of lever 209 is connected with cam 151 by a pin 203 and the end of this lever is connected through a link 202 to a bell crank 203 pivotally mounted on a pivot 204. An adjusting rod 2115 extends to the side of the machine and it has a threaded end which receives a nut 2% positioned between arms of a bracket 237 so that the nut remains fixed in position but free to rotate. Upon rotation of the nut the rod is moved to the left or right as viewed in FIG. 14 which through the bell crank 293 lifts or drops the link 2132. The adjusting lever 200 is pivoted thereby to vertically adjust the vertical position of the cam 151 and the other operating cams carried thereby for operating the sheet ejecting means.

FIG. 15 shows a so-called jogging mechanism by means of which books of pages or sheets are separated from other books. This may be accomplished by shifting a deposit table or platform to and from one of two positions. In the construction shown in FIG. 15 the deposit platform 212 is mounted on a pivot 213 carried by the frame 20 and is located at the end of the endless means to receive the sheets from the latter. This deposit platform or table is oscillated from one position to another on its pivot by mechanism which will now be described.

Mounted on the shaft 911, which rotates at the same speed as the shaft 169 which carries the cam 168, is a jogging cam 217 having three lobes thereon which means that this cam rotates once for the movement of three pockets in the storage means past ejecting position at the endless means. Means are provided in the form of screws 218 and slots 219 to adjust the position of the jogging 'cam on the shaft. A jogging cam lever 220 is pivotally mounted on a pivot 221 carried by the frame and one end of this lever carries a cam roller 222 for engaging the earn 217. A spring 223 having one end attached to a pin 224 carried by the cam lever 2211 and the other end attached to a fixed pin 225, propels the cam lever 226m aclockwise direction as viewed in the FIG. 18 so that the.

cam roller is pressed into engagement with the cam when the lever latch is released. The cam lever has a latch V shoulder 226.

Latching means are provided to retain the jogging lever 2211 out of operation or out of operative engagement with the jogging cam. This latch means includes the shoulder 228 and a latch lever 229 pivotally mounted on a pin 230 carried by the frame. A spring 23-1 having one end secured to a pin 232 carried by the latch lever 229 and the other end secured to a fixed pin 233 carried by the frame propels the latch lever in a counterclockwise direction to bring the end of the latch lever into contact with the latch shoulder 226. The latch lever is connected with an armature 234 of a solenoid which is connected with the latching lever by a pin 235.

The cam lever 220 is connected with a push link through a push link lever 238 which is freely oscillatable upon the shaft 221. A safety connection is provided between the cam lever 2-20 and the push link lever through a pin 239 carried by the cam lever and received in an arcuate slot 24% carried by the push link lever. A spring 227 secured to pin 2.24 and a pin 227a carried by the push link lever 238 normally retains this lever with the bottom of the slot 239 engaging the pin 239. This construction provides a safety frame.

of shoulders 243and 244. The shoulder 243 engages a push pin 245 and the shoulder 244 engages the push pin 246 as will be described. The two push pins are mounted on a push pin plate 247 which is oscillatably mounted on a pivot 24%. The range of movement of the push pin blade is determined by a stop 249 which engages the end of a slot 25%} in the periphery of the push pin plate. A spring 251 has one end affixed to a pin 252 carried by the push pin plate and the other end is secured to a pin 253 carried by the push link. In the position shown this spring exerts its tension topull the push link 241 to the left or counterclockwise. Another spring 254 has one end secured to the pin 252 and its other end secured to the fixed pin 225.

The mechanism so far described operates in the following manner. Upon energization of the solenoid its armature 234 is drawn downwardly to pivot the latch lever 229 clockwise and remove the end of the latch lever from the shoulder 228 whereupon the spring 223 presses the cam lever 220 into contact with the cam so that the cam roller now follows the surface of the valley between two cam 12 pocket. Shortly after thepocket comes to ejecting position, this button engages a switch 269 which is connected with the jogging solenoid to jog the deposit platform to its other position. The deposit platform is jogged at the lobes. Pivoting. of the earn lever 220 in a clockwise direction, pivotsthe push link lever 238 in the same direction through the connection between the pin 239 and the lower end of the slot 244%. Pivoting of the push link lever pulls the push link 24-1 downwardly until the push pin 246is above the shoulder 244 being pulled to this position by the spring 251. With the push pin 246 in alignment with the shoulder 2M, and when the next cam lobe engages the cam roller 222, the jogging cam lever 22 3 and the push link lever 23% are oscillated in a counterclockwise direction and this presses the push link 241 upwardly which in turn presses the push pin 2% upwardly thereby pivoting the push pin plate 2 :1 in a clockwise direction. When the push pin plate has rotated far enough to bring the pin 252 and the spring 254 over to the right hand side of the axis of the pivot 248, the spring 254- then propels the push pin plate the rest of the way in a clockwise direction until the step 249 engages the other end of the slot 250. In this position of the push pin plate, the spring 251 has changed position so that its tension is exerted to .pull the push link 241 to the right or clockwise. When the roller 222 reaches the top of the next lobe of cam 217,

thelatch 229 engages the. latching shoulder 228.

The push pin plate is connectedwith the deposit platform through any suitable connecting means, that shown includinga pin257 carried by the push pin plate carrying a link 25% which is connected by a pivot 25) with one arm v269 of a lever pivotally mounted on a pivot 261 on the The arm 26% is connected with or integral with a second arm 262 and this arm is connected by a pivot 263 to one end of a link 264 and the other end is connected by a pivot 265 with a bracket ass secured to the deposit platform 212.

The next operation of the solenoid armature 234- brings the push shoulder 243 into alignment with push pin 245 to swing the push pin plate 2&7 in a counterclockwise direction in the manner described. The deposit platform is, therefore, jogged to and from its two positions as the push pin plate is shifted to and from one to the other of its two positions. This separates the sheets deposited on the platform or tray into books.

To set up the storage means into books, an intentional empty pocket or empty spaced pockets are provided in the storage means between the sheets of books. For example if these are three different books set up in the pockets, there are enough pockets so that one may be empty between each of the three books or two empty pockets. Means are provided to energize the jogging control solenoid and operate its armature 234 at each empty pocket as shown in FIG. 12. This means includes a button 267 for each pocket and carried by the storage means, such as on a bar 26%. Each button ismovable to the le'ft in its slot to operative position and is so moved for'each unfilled bottom of the movement of the storage means by a fixed button 267a. The switch 269 is of the form which operates solely upon downward movement of the buttons and yields on upward movement;

FIGURES 16, 17 and 18 show means for locking a sheet ejecting means in inoperative position. As a consequence the ejecting mechanism is locked in a position inwardly in the pocket so that the rolls 134 and do not contact the operating cams. Each of the retracting members 139 is provided with a locking hole or slot 270 in the side thereof. A locking latch or pin 271 is carried by a locking member 272 which is mounted for lateral movement on the storage means such as the underface of a partition '76. The locking member extends at right angles to a locking slider 273. which has;a finger projection 274. The locking slider has a slot 275 in which are received mounting pins 276 so that the locking pin 271 may be moved laterally into contact with the locking hole or slot 276. Spring means 277 engaging the locking slider holds the latter in adjusted position. The locking member 272 also provides a cam edge 278 as will be described hereinafter. I

When the locking member 272 is moved to the left as shown in FIG. 17, the pin 271 engages in the slot 270 and holds the sheet ejecting means in retracted position so that it is rendered inoperable. A sheet, therefore, is not ejected from this pocket. Since sheets are not ejected from this pocket there will be a gap in the series of sheets delivered onto the endless means which gapwould operate the sheet detector means. In this locked position, however, the cam surface 278 is'in position to open a normally closed switch 281 which is connected in series with the sheetdetector switch. As long as this switch is closed, the missing sheet detectingv means is operable. However, when the pocket passes in which the sheet ejecting means is locked. out of operation the switch 281 is opened and sinceit is in series with the missing sheet detector switch, this switch is rendered inoperative or inactive, even though it is closed by the lack of a sheet on the endless means for this position. In the unlocked position, shown in FIG. 17 the cam surface 278 is moved away from engaging or contacting position with the switch 281 and consequently if a sheet should not feed out of this pocket, the switch 281 is closed sothat closing of switch 193 for the sheet detecting means 192 is active to operate a main relay to stop the machine.

When the locking member 272 is moved to the extreme right position as viewed in FIG. 17 for a thick or cover sheet, the cam edge 278 is brought into alignment so that on a downward movement of the storage means it operates a normally closed sheet gaging control switch which is connected in series with a switch for a sheet gaging deyice 2%. This sheet gaging device may be of any construction and its purpose is to gage sheets passing thereby and if there is a double or an unusually thick sheet a switch 284a is closed which energizes a solenoid which stops the machine whereby the improper or double sheet may be removed and a proper sheet replaced. When the pocket contains a cover which may be a heavy sheet and hence operate the sheet gaging means, the locking member 272 is shifted to its third or its extreme right position so that when this pocket reaches the switch 283 this switch is opened and disconnects or inactivates the gaging means switch from the power source so that it does not operate to stop the machine. A switch 285 is provided for the last pocket which is in parallel with switch This switch is operated by a switch operator 286 located at a higher level above the last pocket because for this pocket, the switch 283 would not be operated. All of these switches have the well known one direction arms so that they are not operated on the uptwo positions to separate the sheets into books.

ward movement of the storage means but are operated on the downward movement solely.

The buttons 267 and switch 269 have been described as energizing the solenoid for armature 234 and this effects jogging of a deposit platform to and from one of These buttons and switch and solenoid may be used to operate other types of book forming devices such as to assemble sheets on a tray and at the delivery end of the endless means and operate a stapler for each book in place of the jogging platform and in this manner set up books of sheets. In order to stop the storage means at the top of its movement so that the pockets are available for loading, a top stop means is provided. This means includes a normally open switch 288 carried by the frame and closed by a cam 289 carried by the storage means. The switch 288 is in series with a normally open manual switch 290, so that upon manual closing of switch'290, and closing of the switch 288 by the cam 289 at the top of the movement of the storage means a relay 291 is operated to stop the machine such as by opening a main switch.

The hold-up means for the hold-up lever 180 preferably includes means which may yield in event of any misfunction. This means includes two additional levers or plates, one of which is a first or trigger operated plate 2% secured to the shaft 58 so that it is movable with drive reversing trigger 57. A second or spring pressed plate 294 is freely pivoted on shaft 58 and has an car 295 extending behind the first plate. This center plate also has a second ear 296 projecting to engage the back of hold-up lever 180. A spring 297 between the first plate and the ear 295 of the second plate normally keeps these two plates in a position with the first plate engaging the ear.

In operation when the storage means moves upwardly the trigger 57 is raised which reverses the reversing mechanism of FIGS. and 9. At the top of this movement of the storage means, the cam projection 183 is above hold-up trigger 173 so that on downward movement of the storage means, the trigger 173 is operated downwardly to remove hold-up lever 180 downwardly and release the lever 171. The upward movement of trigger 57 has moved the first plate 293 counterclockwise and since it engages ear 295, the second plate moves therewith which moves the second ear 296 to the right away from engagement with the edge of the lever 180. Immediately after the storage means moves down and cam 183 shifts hold-up trigger 173 and hold-up lever 180 is moved counterclockwise or away from hold-up position bringing cam roller 170 into contact with cam 168. The sheet pressme means, therefore, is oscillated by the cam 168. When the storage means reaches the bottom of its movement, projection 59 engages the trigger 57 and propels it downwardly to reverse the drive reversing means and the storage means is driven upwardly. Downward movement of the trigger 57 swings the first plate 293 clockwise and spring 297 pulls the second plate 294 therewith and the ear 296 of the second plate engages the lever 180 to swing it clockwise to engage and lift the pin 181 and hold the oscillating lever 171 away from the cam 168 for the upward movement of the storage means. If the hold-up lever should be jammed for some reason spring 297 yields to permit relative movement between the second plate 294 and the first plate 293. The operation then repeats when the storage means reaches the top of its movement.

A handle 300 is secured to shaft 58 for manual operation of this shaft and the-drive reversing means.

This invention is presented to fill a need for improvements in a Vertical Collating Machine. It is understood that various modifications in structure, as well as changes in mode of operation, assembly, and manner of use, may and often do occur to those skilled in the art, especially after benefiting from the teachings of an invention. This disclosure illustrates the preferred means of embodying the invention in useful form.

What is claimed is:

1. A vertical collating machine for collating sheets comprising a frame, storage means having a plurality of spaced partitions, providing a plurality of sheet storage pockets, means mounting the storage means on the frame for vertical movement thereon, driving mechanism connected with the storage means to move the same upwardly and downwardly, endless means carried by the frame with one end adjacent to the storage means and providing a pick-up position and connected with the driving mechanism to drive the same; pressure roll mechanism including pressure roll means, mounting means adjacent to the endless means and adjacent the end thereof at the storage means and supporting the pressure roll means for engagement with a sheet to press the same against the endless means, and operating means connected with the pressure roll means to move the latter over a projecting sheet and press the sheet against the endless means as each pocket passes adjacent the endless means; sheet ejecting mechanim including ejector means, ejector mounting means mounting the ejector means for movement towards and away from the endless means and into and away from contact with a pile of sheets in the pocket, and ejector operating means carried by the frame on the opposite side of the storage means from the endless means and operatively connected with the ejector mounting means and the ejector means in a pocket adjacent the endless means to move the ejector means towards and away from the endless means at pick-up position.

2. A vertical collating machine as in claim 1 in which the mounting means for the pressure roll means is a pivoted lever supporting the pressure roll means in contact with the endless means throughout its movement, and the means to move the pressure roll means is connected with the lever to reciprocate the pressure roll means forwardly towards the storage means and away therefrom.

3. A vertical collating machine as in claim 1 in which the reciprocating means includes cam means operatively connected with the pressure roll means to reciprocate the same in one direction and a spring connected with the pressure roll means to reciprocate the same in the other direction.

4. A vertical collating machine as in claim 3 in which the cam means is operatively connected with the pressure roll means to move the latter away from the storage means.

5. A vertical collating machine as in claim 3 in which the cam means is a cam bar carried by the storage means and extends the length of the pockets and has a cam surface for each pocket.

6. A vertical collating machine as in claim 1 including locking means connected with the mounting means for the pressure roll means to hold the same in retracted position away from the storage means, and actuating means operated by the storage means at the bottom of its movement to engage the locking means and at the top of its movement to disengage the locking means.

7. A vertical collating machine as in claim 6 in which the actuating means includes an upper projection carried by the storage means and adjustable with respect to its length.

8. A vertical collating machine as in claim 1 in which the driving mechanism includes reversing means, and operating means therefor operated by the storage means to reverse the reversing means.

9. A vertical collating machine as in claim 8 in which the operating means for the reversing means includes an upper projection and a bottom projection carried by the storage means, and at least one of the projections being adjustable.

10. A vertical collating machine as in claim 9 in which the operating means for the reversing means includes a two position reversing link having inclined intersecting surfaces, a spring pressed roll alternately engaging the inclined surfaces, and a trigger connected with the link and operated by the projections to shift the reversing link from one position to the other to reverse theireversing means.

11. A vertical collating machine as in claim 1 in which the driving mechanism includes reversing means, operating means for the reversing means operated by the storage means to reverse the reversing means including a trigger, an upper projection and a bot-tom projection carried by the storage means and engaging the trigger, locking meansfor the pressure roll mechanism to hold the pressure roll means in retracted position, and actuating means operatively connected with the locking means including the trigger and the upper projection and the bottom projection.

12. A vertical collating machine as in claim 11 including means to adjust. the position of at least one of the projections.

13. A vertical collating machine as in claim 11 in which the operating means for the pressure roll means is a vertical cam bar carried by the storage means having a cam surface for each pocket.

14. A vertical collating machine as in claim 13 including means to adjust the position of the cam bar. a

15. A vertical collating machine for collating sheets comprising a frame, storage means having a plurality of spaced partitions providing a plurality of sheet storage pockets, means mounting the storage means on the frame for vertical movement thereon; driving mechanism connected with the storage means to move the same upwardly and downwardly including reversing means, operatingmeans for the reversing means including a two position linkage of two. links, one of said links having inclined intersecting surfaces, a springpressed' roll positioned to alternately engage one of the inclined surfaces as. the link moves, a trigger connected with one of the links and operated by the storage means to reverse the position of the two position linkage and the reversing means, endless means carried'by the frame with one end adjacent tothe. storage means and providing a pick-up position and connected with the driving mechanism to drive the same; pressure roll mechanism including pressure roll'means, mounting means supporting the pressure roll means adjacent to the endless means and adjacent the end thereof at the storage means and for engagement with the endless means at all times, and reciprocating 'means connected with. the mounting means to move the pressure roll means over the endless means and a projecting sheet-as each pocket passes .adjacentthe endless means to press the sheet against the endless means; and sheet ejecting mechanism including ejector means, ejector mounting means mounting the ejector means for move- 7 ,ment in a. pocket adjacentthe endless means towards.

and away from theendless means and into and away from contact with a pile of sheets in the pocket, and

ejector operating means carried by the frame on the opposite side of the storage'means from the endless means "and operatively connected with the ejector mounting eratedby the trigger and connected with the locking means to engage and disengage the locking means.

17. A vertical collating machine as in claim '16 in which the actuating means for the locking means includes a band spring connected with the trigger and having an end, and the locking means having a groove in which the end of the band spring is received.

18. A vertical collating machine as in claim 15 in which the reciprocating means includes a vertical cam bar carried by the storage means having a cam surface for each pocket. I a

19. A vertical collating machine as in claim. 18 including means to adjust the vertical position of the cam bar.

20. A vertical collating machine as in claim 15 including locking means to hold the mounting means for the pressure roll means in rearward position, means operated by the trigger and connected with the locking means to engage and disengage the locking means, and in which the reciprocating means is a cam bar carried by the storage means having a cam surface for each pocket.

21. A vertical collating machine for collating sheets comprising a frame, storage means having a plurality of spaced partitions providing a plurality of sheet storage pockets,rmeans mounting the storage means on the frame for vertical movement thereon, driving mechanism connected with the storage means to move the same upwardly and downwardly, endless means carried by the frame with one end adjacent to the storage means and providing a pick-up position and connected with the driving mechanism; pressure roll mechanism including pressure roll means, mounting means supporting the pressure roll means for engagement with a sheet to press the same against the endless means, and operating means to move the pressure roll means over a projecting sheet as each pocket passes adjacent to the endless means; sheet ejectan arm pivotally mounted onthe carriage means, the ejector being carried by the arm, and a retracting means carried by the carriage and movable relatively thereto to engage. and. raise the arm and release the arm, and the ejector operating means including means to move the retracting means relatively. to the ejector mounting means.

23; A vertical collating machine as in claim 21 in which the ejector operating means is cam means carried by the-frame. V

24. A vertical collating machine as in claim 21 in which the ejecting mechanism includes an arm pivotally mounted on the mounting means, an ejector carried by the arm, retracting means: carried by the mounting means and movable relatively thereon to engage the arm and lift the ejector from its down position, cam means carried by the frame and engaging each retracting means a before it reaches pick-up position to move the same and release the ejector arm" and to reengage the ejector arm .toraise the same, and cam meanscarried by the frame and engaging each ejector mounting means to move the same'and the ejectorrearwardly to partially eject a sheet at pick-up position.

25. A vertical collating machine as in claim 21 in which the ejector operating means is a single cam means for all of the ejectors and located adjacent the end of the pocket at pick-up position. v

26, A vertical collating machine as in claim 22 in which the ejector operating means includes a single cam for all of the ejectors and carried by the frame, and the means to move the retracting means isa single pair of cams for each ejector, one cam moving the retracting i which the drivingvmechanisrn includes reversing mea s,

a trigger carried by the frame, an upper projection and a l 7 bottom projection carried by the storage means and engaging the trigger, operating means having two positions connecting the triggering with the reversing means to operating the same, and holding means to retain the reversing operating means in one of its two positions.

28. A vertical collating machine as in claim 21 including locking means for the pressure roll mechanism to lock the same in retracted position away from the storage means, a trigger carried on the frame and connected with the locking means, means to retain the trigger in one of of two positions, and an upper projection and a bottom projection carried by the storage means and engaging the trigger.

29. A vertical collating machine as in claim 21 in which the driving mechanism includes reversing means, a trigger carried by the frame; an upper projection and a lower projection carried by the storage means and engaging the trigger, reversing operating means having two positions connecting the trigger with the reversing means to operate the same, holding means to retain the reversing operating means in one of its two positions, locking means for the pressure roll mechanism to hold the same in retr-acted position away from the storage means, and means connecting the locking means with the trigger.

30. A vertical collating machine as in claim 29' in which the operating means for the pressure roll means is a bar cam carried by the storage means having a cam surface for each pocket.

31. A vertical collating machine as in claim 30 including means to adjust the vertical position of the cam bar on the storage means.

32. An ejector mechanism for a collating machine comprising a carriage, mounting means for the carriage to mount the same for sliding movement, a spring connected with the carriage to move the same on its mounting means, an ejector arm pivotally mounted on the carriage, an ejector carried by the arm, retracting means, mounting means for the retracting means carried by the carriage to movably mount the retracting means relatively thereto to and from engaging position to raise the ejector arm and for disengagement therewith, and means retaining the retracting means in the position to which it has been moved.

33. A vertical collating machine as in claim 21 including locking means for each ejector mounting means to lock the same in inoperative position comprising lock mounting means carried by the storage means and mounting the locking means for movement to a locking position and to a position away therefrom, a switch operator carried by the mounting means, sheet detector means to detect absence of a sheet on the endless means including a normally open detector switch, and a normally closed switch carried by the frame in series with the detector switch and located to be operated by the locking means switch operator when in locked position and when the respective pocket is at or adjacent pick up position.

34. A vertical collating machine as in claim 33 including a sheet gage mounted on the frame and positioned to engage the sheets passing along the endless means having a normally open gage switch, the lock mounting means having a third position, and a normally closed switch carried by the frame in a position to be opened by the locking means switch operator in its third position and connected in series with the sheet gage switch.

35. A vertical collating machine as in claim 1 including book mechanism at the other end of the endless means for separating a plurality of sheets into a plurality of books, book operating means connected with the driving mechanism to operate the book mechanism, a solenoid connected with the book operating means for said book mechanism to control operation thereof, a button for each pocket movably mounted on the storage means to and from an operating position, and a normally open switch connected with the solenoid and in the path of any button in operating position to close the switch.

36. A vertical collating machine as in claim 35 in which the book mechanism includes a deposit platform at the end of the endless means mounted for movement, and jogging means connected with the deposit platform to shift the same to and from one of two position.

37. A vertical collating machine as in claim 36 in which the jogging means includes a rotary cam connected with the driving mechanism, a cam lever mounted for engagement with and operation by the rotary cam, a latch to latch the cam lever away from operative engagement with the cam, and the solenoid being connected with the latch.

38. A vertical collating machine as in claim 1 including a normally open top stop switch carried by the frame, a cam carried by the storage means and closing the top stop switch when the storage means reaches the top of its movement, a manual switch connected in series with top stop switch, and a relay operated by the two switches.

39. A vertical collating machine as in claim 1 in which the operating means for the pressure roller mechanism includes a rotary pressure roller cam connected with the driving mechanism, and a cam lever engaging the rotary pressure roller cam.

40. A vertical collating machine as in claim 39 including means operated by the vertical movement of the storage means at the bottom of its movement and connected with the cam lever to remove said lever from contact with the rotary pressure roller cam and operated by the downward movement of the storage means at the top of its movement to restore the cam lever into contact with the pressure roller cam.

41. A vertical collating machine as in claim 39 in which the driving mechanism includes a reversing mechanism, a trigger shaft mounted on the frame, a reversing trigger mounted on the shaft and connected with the reversing mechanism, spaced operating projections carried by the storage means and engaging the reversing trigger on the downward and upward movement of the storage means, a hold-up lever mounted on the frame for operative and inoperative position with the cam lever, a hold-up lever trigger connected with the hold-up lever, an operating projection carried by the storage means engaging and operating the hold-up lever trigger upon initial downward movement of the storage means to shift the hold-up lever to inoperative position, and a connection between the reversing trigger and the hold-up lever to move the latter into operative hold-up position by operation of the reversing trigger when the storage means reaches its down position.

42. A vertical collating machine as in claim 41 in which the connection includes a first plate connected with the reversing trigger, a second plate having a first ear engaging the first plate and a spring between the plates urging the ear of the second plate into contact with the first plate, and a second ear carried by the second plate and engaging the hold-up lever to operate the same to hold-up position.

No references cited. 

